St. Louis Benefit Polo, chaired by Ginnie Orthwein and Susie von Gontard, hosted a private reception for Ignacio “Nacho” and Delfina Figueras, Friday, September 12, 2014, at the Big House, Grant’s Farm. The Busch family mansion provided the ideal setting for the pre-party to the Glennon Gallop, September 20, the benefit polo match for Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation. International polo star and Ralph Lauren brand ambassador “Nacho” Figueras represented the honored guest and the featured player the following day.
Guests informally could interact with “Nacho” and had numerous photo opportunities. The St. Louis Polo Club also used the occasion to recognize the “rookie of the year”, Alex Ebel, and the Adolphus Busch Orthwein Horse of the Year, Cookie and Cream, owned and ridden by Molly Sansone.
The event benefited the Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation, specifically supporting the Danis Pediatric Center at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. “Nacho” visited the pediatric center and had this comment about his experience so far: “I always wanted to visit St. Louis and play with the Orthweins and von Gontards. I also really was impressed with Cardinal Glennon and what they do there”. He continued, “I’ve been playing with a lot of STL players for a long time. It’s great to be here. Alex is a wonderful example of what a wonderful platform polo can be. People who don’t understand polo see it as something that separates people. But if you know polo, you know it’s a sport that’s very family-oriented, very inclusive.”
Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation, led by a Board of Governors, provides the financial support necessary for delivering exceptional health care, in state-of-the-art facilities, to all children in need of care. Through pro-active communication efforts, community cultivation, philanthropic generosity and Christ-like stewardship, the Foundation’s purpose is building strong partnerships that will result in world-class pediatric health care at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center.
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- Danielle Boschert, Dan von Gontard
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- Lou Glaser, Buny Broeder, Aaron and Dr. Anne Branscum
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- James Alverson, Dan Buck, vice president for philanthropy, SSM Health Care Foundations
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- Jennifer Geisler, Marissa Russell, Molly Fehlig, Kate Klingsmith, Katie Kruse
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- Margaret and Steve Orthwein, Jr.
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- Bob and Suzanne Ebel, Alex Ebel, Nick Ebel, Max Weiser
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- Anne and Allen Borucke
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- Tiffany Clifton, Patty Robertson, Marin Hartley
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- Peter and Susie von Gontard
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- Tony Sansone, Hilario Figueras, Molly Sansone, “Nacho” Figueras, Mary Anne Sansone, Steve Orthwein, Jr., Doug Sansone
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- Rose Fogarty, director of marketing/ communications, Sarah Chiodini, director of events
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- World renowned polo player “Nacho” Figueras, Martha and Mike Brooks
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- Tippy Tipton, Clara von Gontard, Anne and Allen Borucke
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- Doug Sansone, Steve and Margaret Orthwein, Jr., “Nacho” Figueras, Molly Sansone
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- Tony Sansone, Doug Sansone, Mary Anne Sansone, “Nacho” Figueras, Molly Sansone, Maria Sansone, Ava Sansone
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- Mike Worley, Sandy Koller, executive director, Rose Fogarty, Tony Bommarito, “Nacho” Figueras, Mary Bommarito, Sarah Chiodini, Dan Buck
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- Tony and Mary Bommarito, “Nacho” Figueras
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- Rick and Kristen Holton, Peter von Gontard
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- Rose Fogarty, Sandy Koller, “Nacho” Figueras, Sarah Chiodini
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- Margaret Orthwein, Allison Engelsmann, “Nacho” Figueras, Veronica Theodoro, Anne Ryan
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- Guests gather on the patio to listen to the program.
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- “Nacho” Figueras, Ginny Orhwein, Susie von Gontard
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- Scott Lancaster, St. Louis Polo Club manager/instructor, master of ceremonies
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- Scott Lancaster
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- Susie von Gontard, “Nacho” Figueras, Alex Ebel, “Spirit of St. Louis Award”, Ginny Orthwein, Scott Lancaster
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- Steve Johnson, president, St. Louis Benefit Polo, Ginny Orthwein, Scott Lancaster
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- Cookies and Cream, Adolphus Busch Orthwein Horse of the Year, with Victor
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- Cookies and Cream with her rider, Molly Sansone
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- Cookies and Cream with her rider, Molly Sansone
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- Molly Sansone accepts the award on behalf of her horse, “Cookies and Cream”, from Ginny Orthwein, “Nacho” Figueras, Steve Orthwein, Jr., Danny Orthwein.
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- Molly Sansone, owner and rider of “Cookies and Cream”, with former owner Julia Cook
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- Michael and Emily McGehee, Janet and Smith McGehee
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- JJ Celis, Tina and Diego Gross, Humberto Sanchez
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- A picture from the past
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- Lee Ann Sydenstricker, Chase Butler
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- Veronica Theodoro, Allison Engelsmann, “Nacho” Figueras, Margaret Orthwein
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- Garth Fort, Philip von Gontard, Mary Fort, Rhonda Caster
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- Anne Ryan, John and Ann Ryan
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- Fran Coughlin, Allison Engelsmann, Catherine Coughlin, Jim Alverson and Julia Danis Alverson
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- Ariel and Jennifer Loza, Patty Robertson, Tanya Mullenix, Sandy Ackerman
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- Michelle Chappuis, Chase Butler, Janet McGehee
